Pressure filler head having a universal adapter holder and adapters for pressure filling valved aerosol containers



Apnl 6, 1965 R. s ROUSSEAU 3,176,727

1 PRESSURE FILLER HEAD HAVING A UNIVERSAL ADAPTER HOLDER AND ADAPTERS FOR PRESSURE FILLING VALVED AEROSOL CONTAINERS Filed Nov. 1. 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet l FIG. 2

FIG!

INVENTOR. ROY S. ROUSSEAU MWM# M ATTORNEYS Apnl 6, 1965 R. s. ROUSSEAU 3,176,727

PRESSURE FILLER HEAD HAVING A UNIVERSAL ADAPTER HOLDER AND ADAPTERS FOR PRESSURE FILLING VALVED AEROSOL CONTAINERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 1. 1961 FIG.4

I 76 e9 e2 73 72 92 I 94 I -=II b I 5 5 l 65 5 as 7 I37 ROY S. ROUSSEAU BY WMrWW ATTORNEYS A ril 6, 1965 R. s ROUSSEAU 3,176,727

PRESSURE FILLER HEAD HAVING A UNIVERSAL ADAPTER HOLDER AND ADAPTERS FOR PRESSURE FILLING VALVED AEROSOL CONTAINERS Filed NOV. 1. 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 89 8 1/ /72 2 94 \u l I 33 I: 74 78 82 8| 202L 4 3 84 so 203* 8 0 Z 1 Z 69 I88; I93 I89 1 5 r 70 I lez 79 I I ee /m1 iikj gftus [Eli 1' H u n4 200 I84).

INVENTOR- ROY S. ROUSSEAU BY ZJQMM W ATTORNEYS United States 3,176,727 Patented Apr. 6, 1965 3,176,727 PRESSURE FILLER HEAD HAVING A UNI- VERSAL ADAPTER HQLDER AND ADAPT- ER?) FER PRESSURE FILLING VALVED AERGfilOL CUNTAINERS Roy S. Rousseau, Mount Prospect, 11]., assignor to The Kartridg Pal: Co., Davenport, Iowa, a corporation of Iowa Filed Nov. 1, 1961, Ser. No. 149,418 39 Claims. (Cl. 141-20) The present invention relates to a pressure filler head for filling valved aerosol containers with pressurized fluid through the valve structures thereof and, more particularly, to such a pressure filler head having a universal adapter holder with a series of readily replaceable adapters therefor each of which is adapted for pressure filling a valved aerosol container having a different one of the several types of aerosol valve structures now in use assembled thereon.

Most aerosol containers now in use include certain standard or common physical characteristics including a standard size opening having a rolled rim formed in the top of containers of different sizes, which opening is closed by a depressed cap having upstanding edges crimped over the rolled and a raised center island. Such aerosol containers may be provided, however, with any one of several different type dispensing valve structures presently in use. These dispensing valve structures, which will be briefly described hereinafter, are presently being manufactured by diiferent dispensing valve companies and may, for convenience, be referred to as standard aerosol valve structures. In pressure filling such valved aerosol containers through the valve structures thereof, the pressure filler head must be provided with adapters which will provide fluid-tight seals with the different valve structures assembled on the tops of the aerosol containers. Each of the several standard aerosol valve structures now in use requires an adapter having a different design to provide the necessary fluid-tight seal therefor. With the pressure filler heads now known in the art, changing of such adapters is a relatively complicated time-consuming procedure which in many'instances results in the loss of pressurized fluid from the pressure filler head. Thus, through the valve pressure filling operations in which a number of adapter changes are necessary may result in a substantial economic loss due to the extended down time of the pressure filling line during adapter change-over operations and the loss of pressurized fluid during each change-over operation.

It is, therefore, the general object of the present invention to provide a new and improved pres-sure filler head for filling valved aerosol containers with pressurized fluid through the valve structures thereof which substantially overcomes the foregoing disadvantages of pressure filler heads now in use.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved pressure filler head of the character described having a readily releasable adapter holder mounted on the discharge end of the pressure filler head,

in which adapter holder any one of a series of adapters.

may be mounted with minimum efiont and in a minimum length of time whereby to substantially cut down on the usual adapter change-over time.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved pressure filler head of the character described wherein a discharge valve is mounted in the adapter holder in a manner such that it is automatically closed upon removal of an adapter therefrom, as during an adapter change-over operation, whereby to eliminate the possibility of any loss of pressurized fluid from the pressure filler head during the adapter change-over.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a series of new and improved adapters for pressure filling valved aerosol containers having any one of several standard aerosol valve structures assembled thereon around and through such valve structures.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved pressure filler head of the character described wherein the pressure filler head is continuously connected to a source of pressurized fluid, wherein a predetermined charge of pressurized fluid is established in a metering chamber in the pressure filler head when the pressure filler head is out of engagement with a container, wherein engagement of the pressure filler head with a container to be filled sequentially shifts the adapter holder relative to the pressure filler head to isolate the meter charge of pressurized fluid from the source thereof, effects a fluid-tight seal between the particular adapter being used and the aerosol valve structure of the container to be filled, and then shifts the adapter relative to the adapter holder to open the dis charge valve the adapter holder whereby to pressure fill the container around and through the valve structure thereof with the metered charge of pressurized fluid.

Certain other objects of the invention will, in part, be obvious, and will in part appear hereinafter.

For a more complete understanding of the nature and scope of the invention reference may now be had to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a vertical section through a preferred embodiment of the pressure filler head having one adapter form mounted in the adapter holder with the pressure filler head conditioned for a filling operation with a metered charge of pressurized fluid established and isolated in the dispensing chamber as a result of initial engagement of the pressure filler head with a valved aerosol container to be filled, which container is indicated in broken line;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section of the adapter holder and the adapter shown in FIG. 1 with the adapter fitted over the valve assembly of the valved container;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged firagmentary vertical section of the pressure filler head, adapter holder and adapter of FIG. 1 near the end of the pressure filling cycle with the adapter raised relative to the adapter holder and the dis charge valve open as a result thereof;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section of the lower portion of the adapter holder with another form of adapter mounted therein being disposed in its discharge valve opening position;

FIG. 5 is a fragm ntary vertical section similar to FIG. 4 showing another form of adapter;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section similar to FIGS. 4 and 5 showing a still further form of adapter;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary vertical section similar to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 showing a still further form of adapter; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one half section of the split collar of the adapter holder shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. i

A preferred embodiment of the pressure filler head 10 of the invention is shown in its entirety in FIG. 1. As illustrated, the pressure filler head 10 is mounted on a vertically reciprocable operating post 11 by means of a bracket 12. One portion of the bracket. 12 is adapted to be tightly clamped to the operating post 11 by fasteners 13. A key 14 and slot 15 arrangement is provided between this portion of the bracket 12 and the operating post 11 whereby to permit adjustment of the bracket 12 on the operating post 11 and thereby vertical positioning of the pressure filler head 19 for filling valved aerosol containers of varying heights. The other portion of the bracket 12 is slidably fitted about the pressure filler head 1% between upper and lower external retaining rings 16 thereon, which rings 16 are vertically spaced apart a greater distance than the vertical dimension of the bracket 12, The underside of the portion of the bracket 12 which is slidably fitted about the pressure filler head it) is provided with a plurality of downwardly opening circumferentially spaced recesses 17 in which are received the upper ends of a plurality of spring members 18. The lower ends of the springmernbers 18 are seated in an annular spring seat member 19 which is supported on the lower retaining ring 16. Upon downward movement or" the pressure filler head into engagement with a valved aerosol container to be filled, the spring members 18 cushion the impact of the pressure filler head 10 and prevent crushing of the container. With this arrangement, the containerheight adjustment of the bracket 12 on the operating post 11 is not critical and containers of somewhat diflerent heights may be filled without individual adjustment of the mounting position of the pressure filler head 10.

The pressure filler head 10 shown in the drawings includes a tubular main housing 20, the opposite ends of which are provided with screw-threaded upper and lower end closure plugs 21 and 22, respectively, each of which is provided with an axial passage. A cylinder sleeve 23 is disposed within the housing in annularly spaced relation thereto whereby todefine an annular space 27 I with the lower end of the cylinder sleeve 23 being provided with an end closure disc 24. The upper surface of the lower housing plug 22 is provided with a centrally located recess 25 the upper end of which is substantially closed by the end closure disc 24 of the cylinder sleeve 23. A series of small openings 26 formed in the upper edge of the upstanding annular wall portion 28 of the lower housing plug 22 defining the recess 25 provide continuous direct communication between the annular space 27 and the recess 25. The outer edge of the end closure disc 24 is supported on the upstanding annular wall portion 28 of the lower housing plug 22 with the lower end of the cylinder sleeve 23 in turn being supported on the outer edge of the end closure disc 24. Theupper housing plug Zl'is provided with a depending annular wall portion 29 which abuts against the upper edge of the cylinder sleeve 23. Circumferentially spaced openings 30 provided in the wall portion 29 of the upper housing plug 21 provide continuous direct communication between the annular space 27 and the open upper end of the cylinder sleeve 23. The housing 20 is provided with a nipple 31 for convenient attachment with a supply hose (not shown) extending from a source of pressurized fluid adapted for filling aerosol containers.

A piston 32 which is vertically reciprocable within the cylinder sleeve 23 includes an annular sealing member 313 which is disposed in fluid-tight sliding engagement with the inner surface of the cylinder sleeve 23 and a piston rod 34 which extends upwardly from the upper face of the piston 32 in fiuid-tightslidable relation through a seal ring packing 36 provided in the axial passage of the upper housing plug 21. The piston 32 may, of course, be of 1 any suitable construction.

. The upper housing plug 21 is provided with an integral 7 internally threaded upstanding end collar 37 in which is threadedly received the lower end of a guide tube 38 p which is vertically slotted, as at 39, for a substantial portion of its length intermediate the upper and lower ends thereof. A jamb nut 40 serves to retain the lower end of the guide tube 33 within the collar portion 37 of the upper housing-plug 21. The piston rod 34 is vertically movable within the guide tube 38 and is provided with a carrier 41 on its upper end. The carrier 41 is provided with a transversely extending stop pin 42 the opposite ends of which are slidable within the slotted portions 3% of the guide tube 38. The stop pin 42 is engageable with the underside of a stop collar provided by a pair of jarnb nuts 43 which are threadedly adjustable on the upper end of guide tube 38 whereby to limit upward movement of the piston 32 in the cylinder shell 23. Adjustment of the stop collar serves to vary the size of a metering chamber 44 in the cylinder shell 23 defined between the lower face of the piston 32 and the end closure disc 24. The end closure disc 24 is provided with an axial opening 45 whereby to provide communication between the metering chamber 44 and the recess 25 in the upper surface of the lower housing plug 22 which, as previously described, is in continuous communication with a source of pressurized fluid.

A vertically movable valve structure 46 is provided for controlling communication between the metering chamber and the recess 25 in the upper surface of the lower housing plug '22. The valve structure 46 is characterized by an elongated stem portion 47 which slidably extends downwardly in'fluid-t'ight relation through a seal ring packing 48 provided in the axial passage of the lower housing plug 22 and has a discharge passage 49 extending therethrough with the upper end of the dischar e passage 49 being open to the'metering chamber 44; The valve structure 46 is further characterized by an enlarged diameter valve portion 50 near the upper end of the stern portion 4'7 which has an annular sealing member 51 retained on its upper surface. The valve portion Ellis of such a diameter that it is confined for vertical movement within the recess 25 by abutting engagement thereof with the bottom surface of the recess 25 and abutting engagement of the sealing member 51 thereon with the underside of the end closure disc 24 about the edges of the opening 45 therein.

When the pressure filler head It) is out of engagement with an aerosol container, the valve structure 46 is disposed in its lowermost position as a result of gravity forces thereon whereby to establishcormnunication between the metering chamber 44 and the source of pressurized fluid through the disc opening 45, the recess 25, the wall openings 26, the annular'space 27, and the nipple 31. Upon initial engagement of the pressure filler head It with an aerosol container to be filled, the valve structure 46 is raised into its uppermost position, in a manner to be described, whereby the disc opening 45 is closed 7 by the sealing member 51 on the enlarged diameter valve portion 50' whereby to isolate the metering chamber 44 from the source of pressurized fluid.

The invention is primarily concerned, however, with a novel adapter holder 52 which is connectable to the iower' end of the stem portion 47 of the vertically movable valve structure 46 and with a series of specially designed adapters which are supportable in the adapter holder 52 in a manner 'permitting'replacement or change-over there of in a simple and time-saving manner. 'As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the lower end of the axiai pas sage in the lower housing plug 22 is enlarged and internally threaded whereby to 'threadedly receive an inverted cup-shaped guide member 55 which may be locked therein by a set screw 56. The base of the cup-shaped guide member 55 abuts against the lower end of the seal ring packing 48 and is axially bored to slidably receive the stern pontion 47 of the valve structure 46 which extends downwardly therethrough. The depending annular side wall of the cup-shaped guide member 55 is provided with The adapter holder 52 is further characterized by a two part main body portion comprised of interfitting upper and lower body elements 62 and 63. The upper body element 62 includes an upper disc-like portion 64 of substantial diameter and a reduced-in-diameter stern portion 65 which extends downwardly therefrom, An axial discharge passage 66 which extend vertically through the upper body element 62 is slighlty enlarged in diameter at its lower end, as at 67, for a purpose to be described and has its upper end enlarged in diameter and internally threaded for attachment of the upper body element 612 to an externally threaded depending stern portion of the carrier 58 whereby the upper end of the discharge passage 66 in the upper body element 62 is in communication with the lower end of the discharge passage 49 in the depending stem portion 47 of the vertically movable valve structure 46. The lower body element 63, which is generallycup-shaped, is telescopically fitted upwardly over the depending stern potrion 65 of the upper body element 62 and is threadedly secured thereon. A sealing member 68 is provided between the bottom edge of the depending stem portion 65 of the upper body element 62 and the upper surface of the horizontally disposed base portion 69 of the cup-shaped lower body element 63. An axial 'bore Til is provided in the base portion 69 of the cup-shaped lower body element 63 whereby to provide communication with the lower end of the discharge passage 66 in the depending stem portion 65 of the upper body element 62, an axial bore of approximately the same diameter being provided in the sealing member 68.

A poppet-type discharge valve is provided in the discharge passage 66 in the depending stem portion 65 of the upper body element 62. As illustrated, the discharge valve is characterized by a cup-shaped valve member 7 2 which is vertically slidable in the discharge passage 66. An upwardly opening axial bore 73 in the upper portion of the discharge valve member 72 communicates at its lower end with a series of radially extending transverse passages 74 which are formed in the base of the valve member 72 above the bottom end surface thereof and which open into the enlarged diameter lower end portion 67 of the discharge passage 66. A spring member 76 having its lower end received in the valve member recess 73 and its upper end seated against the lower end of the depending stem pontion 47 of the valve structure 46 serves to resiliently unge the valve member 72 downwardly into sealing engagement with the sealing member 68 whereby to normally close the discharge passage 49, 66 which is open at its upper end to the metering chamber 44 in the pressure filler head 10. Upward movement of the valve member 72 serves to open the discharge passage from the metering chamber 44 by permitting the pressurized fluid to flow from the enlarged diameter lower end portion 67 of the discharge passage 66 beneath the valve member 72 and downwardly through the axial bore As will be fully described heneinafter, each adapter form which is supportable in the adapter holder 52 is characterized by an up standing tubular stem portion which i vertically slidable through the axial bore 70 provided in the base portion 69 of the cup-shaped lower body element 63 and is adapted upon upward movement relative to the adapter holder 52 to shift the valve member 72 up wardly and thereby open the discharge passage from the metering chamber 44 in the pressure filler head 10.

As previously disclosed, means are provided for suspending a series of adapters having certain common physical characteristics, such as the before referred to discharge valve actuating stem, from the adapter holder 52 in a manner permitting simple and fast replacement and change-over of adapters with no loss of pressurized fluid from the pressure filler head It The adapter supporting means of the adapter holder 52 includes an external groove 78 which is formed on the lower body element 63 of the adapter holder 52, a vertically split twopart cylindrical keeper or collar 79 formed of two identical half sections 86, and a retaining sleeve 81 for the split collar 79. The groove 78 extends upwardly from a point adjacent to but spaced from the lower end surface of the lower body element 63 for a substantial portion of the height thereof and defines an outwardly projecting annular flange or shoulder 82 at the lower end of the lower body element 63, which shoulder 82 is characterized by an outer diameter which is somewhat less than the diameter of the non-grooved portion of the lower body element 63 for a purpose which will be evident hereinafter.

The inner diameter of the split collar 79, when the two half sections are disposed in abutting engagement with each other, is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the shoulder 82 on the lower end of the lower body element 63 with the outer diameter of the split collar 79 being substantially equal to the diameter of the nongrooved portion of the lower body element 63. The upper edge of each half section 80 of the split collar 79 is provided with an inwardly turned key or flange 84, which flanges 84, when the two half sections 86 are disposed in abutting relationship, are vertically slidable in the annular groove 7 8 on the lower body element 63 and supportable on the upper surface of the shoulder 82 defined at the lower end of the groove 78. The lower edge of each of the half sections 80 of the split collar 79 is provided with an inwardly turned key or flange 85, which flanges are adapted to be received in external annular grooves formed on each of the adapter forms to be described in detail hereinafter whereby to suspend any one of the adapter forms from the adapter holder 52.

The retaining sleeve 81, which serves to retain the two half sections 80 of the split collar 79 in abutting engagement with each other with the upper flanges 84 thereof disposed in the annular groove 78 formed on the lower body element 63 and with the lower flanges 85 engaged in the annular groove formed on any one of the adapter forms, is provided with an inner diameter which is substantially equal to both the outer diameter of the non grooved portion of the lower body element 63 and the outer diameter of the split collar 79 when the two half sections 80 thereof are disposed in abutting engagement with each other, whereby the retaining sleeve 81 may be slidably fitted from beneath over the split collar 79 and the non-grooved portion of the body element 63 of the adapter holder 52. The retaining sleeve 81 is slidably mounted or retained on the lower body element 63 of the adapter holder 52 by means of a releasable fastener 87 which is adjustably threaded in a radial bore 88 formed in the sleeve 81 intermediate the upper and lower ends thereof. The fastener 87 is inwardly adjustable to a point where a guide pin formation 89 on the inner end thereof is received in the annular groove 78 formed in the lower body element 63 of the adapter holder 52, at which innermost point the guide pin formation 89 is spaced slightly from the grooved surface 78 of the lower body element 63 whereby to insure that the sleeve 81 will be slidable relative to the lower body element 63 and not locked thereto.

The retaining sleeve 81 is normally resiliently urged downwardly into its lowermost position wherein the guide pin formation 89 on the inner end of the releasable fastener 37 abuts against the upper surface of the upper flange 84 of one of the half sections 80 of the split collar 79 for supporting engagement therewith by a series of spring members 92 having their upper ends received in spring seat recesses 93 formed in the under surface of the disc-like portion 64 of the upper body element 62 and their lower ends received in spring seat recesses 94 formed in the upper surface of the retaining sleeve 81.

The inner surface of the retaining sleeve 81 may be beveled at the lower end thereof, as at 96 in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, so as to serve as a container locater or a separate container locating ring 98, shown in FIGS. 1-3, having a beveled inner surface 99 at the lower end thereof may be suspended beneath the retaining ring 81 in a manner permitting relative vertical movement therebetween. An-

other modification of a container locating ring 98a is in enlarged upper portions 105 of the bores 102. The

container locating rings 98 and 98:: are normally resiliently urged downwardly away from the retaining sleeve 81 by a series of spring members 167 having their upper ends received in spring seat recesses 10% formed in the "under surface of the retaining sleeve 81 and their lower ends received in spring seat recesses 10) and 1990 formed in the upper surfaces of the container locating rings 98 I and 9811, respectively. As will be evident hereinafter,

the separate container locating rings 93 and 98a permit an increased stroke of the pressure filler head 1% when certain of the adapter forms are used therewith whereby to prevent any possible crushing of the valved aerosol containers to be filled.

, Before proceeding with a detailed description of the several different forms of adapters disclosed herein, it is believed that a description of the cycle of operation of the pressure filler head ll) at this point will facilitate a complete and full understanding of the invention. Prior to engagement of the pressure filler head 10 with a valved aerosol container to be filled the relatively movable parts thereof are in their lowermost positions. More specifically, the valve structure46 is in its lowermost position with the enlarged valve portion 50 thereof resting on the bottom surface of the recess 25 in the lower housing plug 22 whereby to provide communication between the source of pressurized fluid and the metering chamber 44 through the nipple 31, the annular space 27, the openings 26 in the wall 28 of the recess 25, the recess 25 itself, and the axial bore 45 in the end closure disc 24. Likewise, the discharge valve member 72 is in its lowermost position whereby to close the discharge passage 49, 66 leading from the metering chamber 44. In this noncontainer engaging condition of the pressure filler head iii, pressurized fluid is directed from the source thereof to both the upper and lower faccs of the piston 32 inasmuch as the upper end of the cylinder shell 23 is at all times in communication with the source of pressurized fluid through the nipple 31, the annular space 27, and the openings 3th in the depending wall section 29 of the upper housing plug 21. Due to the differential piston face areas resulting from the piston rod 34 projecting from the upper face of the piston 32, the force on the lower face of the piston 32 predominates and the piston 32 is forced to its uppermost limit of travel as determined by engagement of the stop pin 42 with the stop collar provided by 'the adjustable iamb nuts 43, the metering chamber 44 being progressively filled as the piston 32 is moved upwardly to its upper limit position. v

7 With a valved aerosol container in position beneath the pressure filler head lit the operating post ll lowers the pressure filler head it} downwardly with the upper rim of the container being first engaged by either the container locating rings 98 and %a when the adapter forms of either FIGS. 1-3 or FIG. 7 are being used with the pressure filler head 10 or by the container locating beveled end 96 of the retaining sleeve 81 when the adapter forms of either FIG. 4, FIG. or FIG. 6 are being used with the pressure filler head it). In either instance, this initial engagement with a valved aerosol container to be iiiied serves to shift the adapter holder land the valve structure 46 from'which it is supported upwardly until the sealing member 51 on the enlarged valve portion 5% of the valve structure as closes the axial bore 45 leading to the metering chamber 44 from the source of pressurized fluid, thereby isolating the metered charge of pressurized fluid in the chamber 44, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

During this initial upward movement of the adapter holder 52 relative to the cylindrical housing 29 of the pressure filler head lltl, none of the parts thereof are moved relative to each other. This is due to the fact that the spring members 92., and the spring members 197 when the adapter forms of either FIGS. 1-3 or FIG. 7 are being used, are selected to offer a high resistance to upward container engaging forces, the stiffness of these spring members being sufficient to resist upward movement of the retaining sleeve 81, and in certain instances the container locating rings 93, relative to the adapter holder 52 until a the sealing gasket 51 of the valve structure 46 is tightly sealed against the underside of the end closure disc 24 at sage 49, es from the metering chamber 44.

the edge of the axial bore 45 therein whereby to isolate the metered charge in the chamber 44.

Further downward movement of the pressure filler head It as controlled by the operating post 11, serves to provide a fluid-tight sealing engagement between whichever adapter form is being used and the particularvalve structure of the valved aerosol container to be filled with the metered charge or" pressurized fluid. The particular adapter form used is determined, of course, by the particular valve structure assembled on the aeorsol container. During this portion of the downward movement of the pressure filler head it), the retaining sleeve 81, when the adapter forms of FiGS. 4, 5 and 6 are being used, and the retaining sleeve 81 and the container locating rings 98 and 98a, when the adapter forms of either FIGS. 1-3 or FIG. 7 are being used, are movable upwardly relative to the adapter holder 52. Upward movement of any one of the adapter forms relative to the adapter holder 52 during this portion of the downward movement of the pressure filler head it) to raise the discharge valve member 72 is prevented due to the fact that the stiffness of the dispenser valve spring 76 together with the downward force exerted on the discharge valve member '72 by the pressurized fluid in the metering chamber 44 is greater than the resistance to upward movement provided by the spring members 92 and in certain instances the resistance of the spring members 107 in combination therewith.

Further downward movement of the pressure filler head 10 after a fluid-tight seal has been established between the particular adapter form being used and the valve structure assembled on the aerosol container serves to raise the particular adapter form upwardly relative to the adapter holder 52 whereby the beforementioned upstanding tubular stem portion thereof serves to shift the discharge valve member 72 upwardly and thus open the discharge passage 4, 66 from the metering chamber 44 whereby to discharge the metered charge of pressurized fluid isolated in the chamber 44 into the valved container through the valve structure thereof. As the pressurized fluid in the metering chamber 44 begins to how from under the piston 32, there is a reduction in pressure in the metering chamber 44 resulting in the continuous source pressure on the top of the piston 32 predominating and forcing the piston 32 downwardly until the metering chamber 44 is empty. At the lower end of the stroke of the piston 32, a valve seat 112 on the lower face of the piston 32 engages and closes the upper end of the discharge passage 4% until the pressure filler head .16 moves upwardly out of engagement with the filled aerosol container.

When the operating post lit rises and carries the pressure filler head 19 upwardly, the particular adapter being used first moves downwardly relative to the adapter holder 52 whereby to permit the discharge valve member '72 to be resiliently shifted downwardly to close the discharge pas- Then the movable valve structure 46 is permitted to move down- 9 Wardly whereby to restore communication between the source of pressurized fluid and the metering chamber 44 through the axial opening 45 in the end closure disc 24. The difierential areas of the piston faces against establish a resulting force for moving the piston 32 upwardly and providing another metered charge of pressurized fluid in the metering chamber 44 for discharge into the next valved aerosol container during the next filling cycle.

The adapter forms shown, respectively, in FIGS. 1-3, 4, 5, and 6 are adapted for use in pressure filling a very commonly used valved aerosol container 114 having a standard size opening in the top defined by a rolled rim 115. Although this type of container may have varying heights and diameters, the top opening is of a standard size, for instance, a one inch diameter. Each of the different commonly used aerosol valve structures for this type of container includes a standard depressed cap 116 which is characterized by an upstanding outer wall which is crimped over the rolled container rim 115 and by a raised center island 118. Thus, in FIGS. l-3, the beveled surface 99 on the container locating ring 98 is engageable with the rolled rim 115 of the container 114 over which the outer Wall of the valve cap 116 is crimped and, in FIGS. 4, and 6, respectively, the beveled container locating end surface 96 on the retaining sleeve 81 is engageable with the rolled rim 115 of the container 114- over which the outer wall of the valve cap 116 is crimped. As the several standard or commonly used aerosol container valve assemblies indicated in broken line in FIGS. 1-3, 4, 5 and 6, respectively, differ from one another in certain other structural aspects, it is necessary to provide different adapter forms for proper fluid-tight sealing engagement with these valve assemblies in order to pressure fill these valved containers through the valve assemblies thereof.

In FIGS. 1-3, the standard known-type valve structure assembled on the aerosol container 114 includes a valve stem 1211 which projects upwardly through the center island 118 and a spray nozzle tip 121 at the upper end thereof. In this instance, the valved aerosol container 114 is to be filled with pressurized fluid around and through the spray nozzle tip 121. This pressure filling operation is facilitated by an adapter 125, best illustrated in detail in FIGS. 2 and 3.

As illustrated, the adapter 125 includes an upper body element 126 and a lower body element 127 which are disposed in telescoping relationship for limited vertical movement relative to each other. The lower body element 127 is generally cup-shaped and is provided with an axial opening in the base thereof which is of a size to readily fit over the center island 118 of the valve assembly cap 116 and which defines an inwardly turned shoulder 128 at the lower end thereof. An annular sealing gasket 129 adapted to be fitted over the center island 118 is seated on the inwardly turned shoulder 128. The upper surface of the sealing gasket 129 is provided with a narrow annular slot 139 intermediate the inner and outer circumferences of the sealing gasket 129. The upper portion of the lower body element 127 is provided with an external annular groove 1311 which is adapted to receive the lower inwardly turned flanges 85 on the two half sections 80 of the split collar 79 whereby to positively suspend the lower body element 27 from the adapter holder 52. The vertical height of the annular groove 130 is approximately twice the vertical height of the lower inwardly turned flanges 35 of the split collar 79 whereby to permit limited vertical movement of the lower body element 127 relative to the upper body element 126 in a manner to be described.

The upper body element 126 is characterized by an upper portion 131 having an outer diameter approximately equal to the inner diameter of the split collar 79 and a reduced-in-diameter depending portion 132 which is telescopically inserted downwardly into the cup-shaped lower body element 127. The upper body element 126 is provided with a centrally located downwardly opening recess 133 of a diameter and height to readily receive therein the spray nozzle tip 121 of the container valve assembly. The upper surface of the upper body element 126 is provided with a centrally located upstanding stem portion 134 which is slidably received in the axial bore 71 provided in the base portion 69 of the lower body element 63 of the adapter holder 52 for actuating engagement with the lower end of the discharge valve member 72. The stem portion 134 is provided with an axial discharge passage 135 which opens at its lower end into the recess 133 and has its upper end in communication with a series of radial grooves 136 formed in the top surface of the stem portion 134 whereby to provide communication between the enlarged diameter lower end portion 67 of the discharge passage 66 in the upper body element 62 of the adapted holder 52 and the adapter discharge passage 135 when the discharge valve member 72 is shifted upwardly into its open position by the stem portion 134 of the adapter 125. An O-ring 137 seated in a notch formed in the wall surface defining the axial bore 76 in the lower adapter holder body element 63 provides fluid-tight sealing engagement with the adapter stem portion 134 and an O-ring 138 seated in an annular groove formed in the upper surface of the upper body element 126 of the adapter 125 is adapted to provide fluid-tight sealing engagement with the underside of the lower adapter holder body element 63.

An external annular groove 1 16* is formed on the upper portion 131 of the upper body element 126, which groove 1411 is adapted to receive inwardly turned flanges 141 provided on each half section of the split collar 79 intermediate the upper and lower inwardly turned flanges 84 and 85, respectively, whereby to positively suspend the upper body element 126 of the adapter from the adapter holder 52. One half section 80 of the split collar '79 used with the adapter 125 is shown in perspective in FIG. 8.

The lower end of the lower portion 132 of the upper body element 126 is provided with a depending annular wedge-shaped skirt 143 with the lower tip thereof being received in the annular slot 139 formed in the upper surface of the sealing gasket 129 when the upper and lower body elements 126 and 127, respectively, of the adapter 125 are in their furthest spaced apart positions whereby the sealing gasket 12? is at all times confined within the cup-shaped lower body element 127 of the adapter 125.

During a cycle of operation of the pressure filler head 19, after the container locating ring 98 has initially engaged the container top and shifted the adapter holder 52 and the valve structure 46 upwardly relative to the pressure filler head 10 whereby to isolate the metered charge of pressurized fiuid in the chamber 44, as illustrated in FIG. 1, continued downward movement of the pressure. filler head 10 first fits the adapter 125 over the valve assembly of the aerosol container 114, as illustrated in FIG. 2, with the sealing gasket 129 being fitted over the center island 118. Still further downward movement of the pressure filler head 11? results first in upward movement of the lower body element 127 relative to the upper body element 126 so that the depending wedge-shaped skirt 143 of the upper body element 126 is forced deeper into the annular slot 139 formed in the upper surface of the sealing gasket 12?, thus forcing the inner portion of the sealing gasket 129 into fluid-tight sealing engagement with the sides of the center island 113 of the valve assembly, and then upward movement of both the upper and lower body elements 126 and 127 of the adapter 125 relative to the adapter holder 52 whereby the stem portion 134 thereof raises the discharge valve member 72 whereby to open the discharge passage from the metering chamber 44, as illustrated in FIG. 3, with the metered charge therein then being pressure filled into the container 114 around and through the spray nozzle tip 121 of the valve structure assembled thereon. As illustrated in FIG.

'11 3, the piston 32 has almost reached its lower limit of travel during the pressure filling portion of ,the'cycle.

Upon upward movement of the pressure filler head after completion of the pressure filling operation and return of the various relatively movable elements of the adapter holder 52 and the adapter 125 to theiroriginal positions, continued engagement of the tip of the annular depending wedge-shaped skirt 143 in the annular slot 139 formed in the upper surface of the sealing gasket 125 serves to prevent the sealing gasket 129 from being blown out of the adapter 125.

In FIG. 4, the standard known type valve structure assembled on the aerosol container 114 includes a tubular valve stem 146 which projects upwardly through the center island 118. In this instance, the valved aerosol container 114 is to be filled with pressurized fluid through the tubular valve stem 146. This pressure filling operation is facilitated by an adapter 147 which is shown in detail in FIGURE 4.

As illustrated, the adapter 147 includes a main body portion 148 having an outer diameter approximately equal to the inner diameter of the split collar 75. An external annular groove 149 is formed in the main body portion 148 and is adapted to receive the lower inwardly turned flanges 35 of the two half sections 80. of the split collar 79 whereby-to suspend the adapter. 147 beneath the adapter holder 52. The main body portion 147 is provided with a centrally located downwardly} opening stepped bore including an upper bore portion 151 having a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the tubular valve stem 146, an intermediate bore portion 152 of a slightly larger diameter, a downwardly facing annular shoulder 153 defined between the upper and intermediate bore portions 151 and 152, respectively, a lower bore portion 154 of a substantially larger diameter, and a downwardly facing shoulder 155 defined between the intermediate and lower bore portions 152 and 154, respectively. A centrally located stem portion 156 projects upwardly from the top surface of the main body portion 148 for sliding engagement in the bore 70 formed in the base portion 69 of the lower body element 63 of the adapter holder 52. The upper end of the stem portion 156 which is engageable with the underside of the discharge valve member 72 is provided with radial grooves 157 which are in communication with the upper end of an axial discharge passage 158 which extends downwardly through the stem portion 156 and opens into the upper bore portion 154 of the stepped bore. The stem portion 156 is sealingly engaged by the Q-ring 137, as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, and an 0-ring 159 is provided in an annular groove formed in the top surface of the main body portion 148 for sealing engagement with the underside of the lower body element 63 of the adapter holder 52.

An insert ring-compressing member 161 is fitted in a portion of the stepped bore in the main body portion 148 for limited vertical movement relative thereto. The insert member 161 includes a base portion 162 which is slidably fitted in the lower bore portion 154 and an upstanding stem portion 163 which is slidably received in the intermediate bore portion 152. The

insert member 161 is provided with an axial through' bore 165 having a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the upper bore portion 151. The base portion 162 of the insert member 161 is supported on a retaining ring 166 which is mounted in the walls of the lower bore portion 154. The retaining ring 166 is vertically oriented in the lower bore portion 154 so that when the insert member 161 is supported thereon the upper surface of the base portion 162 is spaced slightly below the downwardly facing shoulder 155 and the upper end of the stern portion 163 is spaced below the downwardly facing shoulder 153. An O-ring 168 is confined in the annular space provided between the upper end surface of the stem portion 163 and the downwardly facing shoulder 153, which O-ring168 is adapted to be slidably fitted over the upper portion of the tubular valve stem 146 of the container valve assembly upon downward movement of the pressure filler head 10.

During the cycle of operation of the pressure filler head 10, after the O-ring 168 has been slidably fitted over the upper portion of the tubular valve stem 146 of the aerosol container valve assembly and a portion of the underside of the base portion 162 of the insert member 1611 simultaneously. abuts against the outer edgeportion of the top surface of the center island 118, continued downward movement of the pressure filler head'10 results in shifting of the insert member 161 upwardly relative to the main body portion 148 of the adapter 147 whereby to compress the O-ring 168 into fluid-tight sealing engagement about the outer surface of the tubular valve stem of the aerosol container valve assembly. Still further downward movement of the pressure filler head 1t) serves to shift the main body portion 148 of the adapter 147 relatively upwardly against theunderside of the lower body element63 of the adapter holder 52 whereupon the stem portion 156 of the adapter 146 raises the discharge valve member 72 and opens the discharge passage from the metering chamber '44, as illustrated in FIG. 4, whereby to pressure fill the container 14 with the metered charge of pressurized fluid in the metering. chamber 44 through the tubular valve stem 146 of the container valve assembly.

In FIG. 5, the standard known-type valve structure assembled on the aerosol container 114 is of the type wherein all but one of the valve elements are disposed inwardly of the valve assembly cap 116. These internal valve elements include a sealing gasket 170, indicated in broken line, which is seated against the underside of the top wall of the center island 118 with an axial bore 171 of the sealing gasket 170 being aligned with an axial opening formed in the top wall of the center island 118. An internal valve member (not shown) is resiliently urged upwardly against the underside of the sealing gasket 170, whereby to normally prevent the escape of pressurized product from the container 114. The one external valve element not yet assembled on the valve structure as illustrated in FIG. 5 comprises a spray nozzle head having a depending stem which is adapted to be inserted downwardly through the bore 171 in the sealing gasket 170 and which when pressed downwardly opens the internal valve member to premit dispensing of the pressurized product therethrough. The pressure filling operation for this type of valve assembly is facilitated by an adapter 172 which is shown in detail in FIG. 5.

As illustrated, the adapter 172 includes a main body portion 173 having an outer diameter approximately equal to the inner diameter of the split collar 79. An external annular notch or groove 174 provided at the lower edge of the main body portion 173 is adapted to receive the lower inwardly turned flanges 35 of the two half sections 8% of the split collar 79 whereby to suspend the adapter 172 beneath the adapter holder 52.

A centrally located upstanding stemportion 176 of the adapter 172 is slidably received in the axial bore 70 formed in the base portion 69 of the lower body element 63 of the adapter holder 52 and is adapted for raising the discharge valve member 72 whereby to open the discharge passage from the metering chamber 44. As with the other adapters described herein, the stem portion 176 of the adapter 1'72 is sealingly engaged by the O-ring 137 and an O-ring 177 which is disposed in an annular groove formed in the top surface of the main body portion 173 is 'sealingly engageable with the underside of the lower body element 63 of the adapter holder 52.

The adapter 172 is further characterized by a centrally located stem portion 178 which extends downwardly from the undersideof the main body portion 173 and has an outer diameter approximately'equal to the diameter of the bore 171 in the sealing gasket 17 l of the aerosol container valve. The upper end of the upper stem portion 176 is provided with radial grooves 139 which communicate with the upper end of an axial discharge passage 181 which extends downwardly through the main body portion 173 and the depending stem portion 178 and is open at the lower end of the depending stem portion 178.

During the cycle of operation of the pressure filler head 11), after the metering chamber 44 has been isolated as previously described herein, continued downward movement of the pressure filler head 11} serves to insert the depending stern portion 178 of the adapter 172 downwardly through the aligned axial openings formed in the top Wall of the center island 118 and the sealing gasket 170 whereby to provide a fluid-tight seal between the outer surface of the depending stem portion 178 of the adapter 172 and the sealing gasket 170. Still further downward movement of the pressure filler head 11) serves to shift the adapter 172 upwardly relative to the adapter holder 52 until the upper surface of the main body portion 173 thereof abuts against the underside of the lower body element 63 of the adapter holder 52, as illustrated in FIG. 5, whereupon the stem portion 176 of the adapter 172 shifts the discharge valve member 72 upwardly to open the discharge passage from the metering chamber 44 and thus permit the valved aerosol container 114 to be pressure filled with the metered charge of pressurized fluid in the chamber 44 through the internal valve structure thereof.

In FIG. 6, the standard known-type valve structure assembled on the aerosol container 114 includes a tubular valve stem 184 which projects upwardly through the center island 118. In this instance, the valved aerosol container 114 is to be filled with pressurized fluid around and through the tubular valve stem 1%. This pressure filling operation is facilitated by an adapter 185 which is illustrated in detail in FIG. 6.

As illustrated, the adapter 185 includes a main body portion 186 having an outer diameter approximately equal to the inner diameter of the split collar 79. An external annular groove 187 is formed on the main body portion 186 and is adapted to receive the lower inwardly turned flanges 85 of the two half sections 80 of the split collar 79 whereby to suspend the adapter 185 beneath the adapter holder 52. A centrally located stem portion 188 projecting upwardly from the top surface of the main body portion 186 is slidably received in the axial bore 71) formed in the base portion 69 of the lower body element 63 of the adapter holder 52 and is adapted for shifting the discharge valve member 72 upwardly to open the discharge passage from the metering chamber 44. As with the other adapters described herein, the stem portion 188 is sealingly engaged by the O-ring 137 and an O-ring 189 which is disposed in an annular notch formed in the top surface of the main body portion 136 of the adapter 185 is sealingly engageable with the underside of the base portion 69 of the lower body element 63 of the adapter holder 52.

The main body portion 186 is provided with a centrally located downwardly opening stepped bore including an upper bore portion 191 having a diameter somewhat greater than the diameter of the tubular valve stem 13 -1 of the aerosol container valve assembly, an intermediate bore portion 192 of substantially larger diameter, a downwardly facing shoulder 193 defined between the upper and intermediate bore portions 1% and 192, a lower bore portion 194- of a still larger diameter, and a downwardly facing shoulder 195 defined between the intermediate and lower bore portions 192 and 194. An annular sealing gasket 197 having a depending annular lower lip 1% adjacent the inner edge thereof, which lip 193 has a diameter less than that of the center island 118, is seated in the intermediate bore portion 192 against the downwardly facing shoulder 193. A washer 199 provided in the lower bore portion 1% is retained in engagement with both the 1 1 downwardly facing shoulder 195 and the outer edge of the underside of the sealing gasket 197 by a retaining ring 2110 which is mounted in the Wall of the lower bore portion 194.

The upper end surface of the stern portion 188 of the adapter 185 is provided with radial grooves 202 which communicate with the upper end of an axial discharge passage 263 which extends downwardly through the stem portion 181% and opens into the upper bore portion 191.

During a cycle of operation of the pressure filler head 111*, after the metering chamber 44 has been isolated as previously described herein, continued downward movement of the pressure filler head 10 results in sealing engagement of the depending annular lip 198 of the sealing gasket 197 with the upper surface of the center island 118 whereby to provide a fluid-tight seal therebetween. Still further downward movement of the pressure filler head 19 results in upward movement of the adapter 185 relative to the adapter holder 52 until the upper surface of the main body portion 186 abuts against the underside of the lower body element 63 of the adapter holder 52, as illustrated in FIG. 6, whereupon the stem portion 188 of the adapter 185 shifts the discharge valve member 72 upwardly to open the discharge passage from the metering chamber 44. The valved aerosol container 114 is thereby pressure filled around and through the upwardly projecting tubular valve stem 184 of the aerosol container valve assembly with the metered charge of pressurized fluid in the chamber 14.

The adapter form shown in FIG. 7 is adapted for use with another commonly used valved aerosol container 2116 wherein the valve structure assembled thereon includes a convex cap 207 having its outer edge crimped over the outer edge of the container 206. The modified form of container locating ring 98a adapted for use with this type of valved aerosol container is characterized by a generally inclined stepped undersurface 208 which is adapted for locating engagement with the outer rim of such a container, as at 299 in FIG. 7.

The valve assembly for the container 206 in FIG. 7 includes a relatively long tubular valve nozzle 211 which projects upwardly for a considerable distance from the center of the convex cap 207. As the valve assembly for this type of aerosol container, which is adapted for dispensing pressurized whipped cream products, for example, may be actuated by exerting a lateral force on the upper end of the tubular valve nozzle 211, an axially bored rubber-like mounting and sealing member 213 is disposed about the lower exposed portion of the tubular valve nozzle 211 with a portion thereof projecting inwardly of the container cap 207. The valved aerosol container 2% is adapted to be filled with pressurized fluid through the relatively long tubular valve nozzle 211 of the container valve assembly by means of an adapter 215 illustrated in detail in FIG. 7.

As illustrated, the adapter 215 includes an upper body portion 216 having an outer diameter approximately equal to the inner diameter of the split collar 79 and a vertically elongated integral lower body portion 217 having an outer diameter approximately equal to the inner diameter of the container locating ring 9 8a. An external annular groove 219 is provided between the upper and lower body portions 216 and 217, respectively, of the adapter 215 which groove 219 is adapted to receive the lower inwardly turned flanges of the two half sections 313 of the split collar 79 whereby to suspend the adapter 215 beneath the adapter holder 52. A centrally located stem portion 220 projects upwardly from the top surface of the adapter 215 and is slidably received in the axial bore 71 formed in the base portion 69 of the lower body element 63 of the adapter holder 52 for shifting the discharge valve member 72 upwardly to open the discharge passage from the metering chamber 44. As with the other adapters described herein, the stem portion 220 is sealingly engaged by the O-ring 137 With an O-ring face of the adapter 215 being adapted for sealing engagement with the underside of the lower body element 63 of the adapter holder 52.

The lower body portion 217 of the adapter 215 is provided with a vertically elongated centrally located downwardly opening stepped bore 223 having a beveled surface 224 at its lower end. The underside of the adapter 215 is concavely formed, as at 225, for mating engagement with the convex valve assembly cap 267. Upon downward movement of the adapter 215 with the pressure filler head it), the stepped bore 223 is adapted to receive the relatively long tubular valve nozzle 2111 of the aerosol container valve assembly with the lower portion of the stepped bore 223 being engageable with the rubber-like mounting and sealing member 213 so as to provide a fluidtight seal therebetween.

The upper end surface of the stem portion 229 of the adapter 215 is provided with a series of radial grooves 228 which communicate with the upper end of an axial discharge passage 22% which extends downwardly through the adapter 215 and opens at its lower end into the stepped bore 223.

During a cycle of operation of the pressure filler head it), after a metered charge of pressurized fluid has been isolated in the metering chamber 44 as previously describedherein, continued downward movement of the pressure filler head 1d first sealingly engages the adapter 215 over the upstanding tubular valve nozzle ill of the aerosol container valve assembly with the concave underside 225 of the adapter 215 in abutting engagement with the convex container cap 2197. Still further downward movement of the pressure filler head it results in upward movement ofthe adapter 215 relative to the adapter holder 52 until the upper surface of the adapter 215 abuts against the underside of the lower body element 63 of the adapter holder 52, as illustrated in FIG. 7, whereupon the stern portion 226) of the adapter 215 shifts the discharge valve member '72 upwardly to open the discharge .passage from the metering chamber 44. The e valved aerosol container 2'36 is thereby pressure filled with the metered charge of pressurized fluid in the chamber.44 through the relatively long upstanding tubular valve nozzle 211 of the aerosol container valve assembly.

When it is necessary to change over the pressure filler head iii disclosed herein after pressure filling one run of valved aerosol containers having one of the foregoing tandard type valve structures assembled thereon in order to pressure fill another run of valve aerosol containers having a different one of the foregoing standard type valve structures assembled thereon, such a change-over may be accomplished very simply with the pressure filling line being shut down for a minimum period of changeover time. It is merely necessary to release the fastener 37 which retains the retaining sleeve 81 on the adapter holder 52, by screwing the fastener 87 outwardly until the guide pin formation 89 on the inner end thereof is retracted from the annular groove 78 formed in the lower body element 63 of the adapter holder 52, whereupon the retaining sleeve $1 and, in certain instances, the container locating ring 98 or 9dr: suspended therefrom may he slidably moved downwardly out of retaining engagement 7 with the split collar '79. The particular adapter being used is then readily released from the adapter holder 52 by separating the two half sections hit of the split collar '79.

The adapter to be used for the next pressure filling run is then readily attached to the adapter holder 52 by reassembling the two half sections 89 of the split collar 79 with the upper inwardly turned flanges 84 thereof being engaged in the annular groove 78 formed in the lower body element 63 of the adapter holder 52 and with the'lower inwardly turned flanges 85 thereof being engaged in the external annular groove formed in the adapter. The retaining sleeve fill with or without the fl 1o container locating ring or suspended therefrom is then slidabiy fitted upwardly over the assembled split collar and the fastener 37 is adjusted inwardly until the guide pin formation 39 on the inner end thereof is engaged in the annular groove 73 formed in the lower body element 63 of the adapter holder 52 whereby to slidably retain retaining sleeve 81 on the adapter holder The pressure filler head it is now ready for its next run of pressure filling valve aerosol containers through the valve assemblie thereof.

It is noted that during the foregoing adapter changeover operation that there is no loss of pressurized fluid from the pressure filler head lid inasmuch as the discharge valve member 72. is resiliently retained in its lower position closing the discharge passage from the metering chamber 4 during the adapter change-over operation. "thus, after an adapter change-over operation, the pres sure filler head is conditioned for a pressure filling operation on the first downward movement of the operating post Ill inasmuch as a metered charge of pressurized fluid is established in the metering chamber 44.

Additional adapter'forms other than those illustrated and described herein may be provided for pressure filling valved aerosol containers having still different dispensing valve structures assemble/.1 thereon. adapter forms will, of course, be provided with an upstanding stern portion for opening the discharge valve member 72 and an external annular groove adapted to receive the lower inwardly turned flanges 85 of the split collar 79.

It will be understood that certain changes may be made in the construction or arrangement of the pressure filler head, including the adapted holder and the adapters therefor, disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A pressure filler head for filling a metered quantity of pressurized fluid into an aerosol container through the valve assembly thereof comprising, a dispenser having a chamber of predetermined size for receiving a metered charge of fluid under pressure, a tubular adapter holder body depending from said dispenser and having a discharge passage ext nding therethrough with its upper end open to said chamber, a normally closed discharge valve member in the lower end of said discharge passage, means for connecting a source of fluid under pressure in continuous communication with said dispenser, means ineluding a normally open valve at the upper end of said discharge passage for establishing said metered charge in said chamber when the filler head is out of engagement with a valved aerosol container, an adapter having means for searing engagement on a valved aerosol container removably suspended from the lower end of said adapter holder body, said adapter being slidable on said holder body so as to permit upward movement of said adapter relative to said body, said adapter having a discharge passage extending therethrough and commurdcating with the lower end of said dischargepassage in said adapter holder body, readily releasable means for suspending said adapter from said adapter holder body, means for closing the valve at the upper end of said discharge passageway and isolating said chamber and'the metered chargeitherein from said fluid source upon initial engagement of the filler head with the top of a valved areosol container, and a centrally located upstanding stem on said adapter slidably received in the lower end of said discharge passage in said adapter holder body and operable upon upward movement of said adapter relative to said adapter holder body after said adapter is sealingly engaged with the top of an aerosol container for engaging and opening said normally closed discharge valve member in the lower end of said dischargerpassageway whereby said metered charge of pressurized fiuid is discharged Such additional 17 into the areosol container through said adapter and the container valve assembly.

2. A pressure filler head as recited in claim 1 for pressure filling a valved aerosol container having a valve assembly including a cap with a center island and a spray nozzle tip projecting upwardly therefrom wherein said adapter is further characterized by a lower generally cup shaped body member having an inwardly turned shoulder at the lower edge thereof, an annular sealing gasket seated on said shoulder and adapted to be fitted over the centerisland of the container valve assembly, the upper surface of said gasket having a narrow annular slot formed therein intermediate its inner and outer circumferences, an upper body member telescopically fitted in said lower body member and vertically movable relative thereto, said upper body member having a downwardly opening centrally located recess defining the lower portion of said adapter discharge passage and adapted to freely receive the spray nozzle tip of the container valve assembly, and an annular depending wedge-shaped skirt on the lower edge of said upper body member with the tip thereof being received in said annular slot in the upper surface of said gasket when said upper and lower body members are in their furthest apart positions whereby said gasket is positively confined at all times in said lower body member, said wedge-shaped skirt serving to tightly wedge the inner portion of said gasket into fluid-tight sealing engagement with, the outer surface of the center island of the container valve assembly upon movement of said upper and lower body members toward each other prior to said adapter movement which serves to open said valve member in said discharge passage of said adapter holder body, said adapter thus being adapted for pressure filling valved areosol containers around and through spray nozzle tips thereof.

3. A pressure filler head as recited in claim 1 for pressure filling a valved aerosol container having a valve assembly including a cap with a center island and a, tubular valve stem projecting upwardly the rethrough wherein said adapter is further characterized by a main body portion having a downwardly opening centrally located stepped bore forming the lower portion of said adapter discharge passage, said stepped bore being characterized by an upper bore portion having a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the tubular valve stem projecting upwardly from the valved areosol container, an intermediate bore portion of a slightly larger diameter, a downwardly facing annular shoulder between said upper and intermediate bore portions, and by a lower bore portion of a substantially larger diameter, an insert member having a base portion slidably received in said lower bore portion of said stepped bore and an upstanding stem portion slidably received in said intermediate bore portion thereof, said insert member having a through bore with a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of said upper bore portion of said stepped bore, a re taining ring mounted in said lower bore portion of said stepped bore for supporting said insert member with the upper end of said stem portion normally spaced from said downwardly facing shoulder, and an O-ring disposed between theupper end of said stem portion of said insert member and said downwardly facing shoulder and substantially filling the space therebetween with said O-ring being adapted to be slidably fitted over said upwardly projecting tubular valve stem of the areosol container valve assembly as said adapter is brought into engagement with the top of the container, said insert member being movable upwardly relative to said main body portion upon actuating engagement of the underside of said insert member with the top of the center island of the container valve assembly whereby to compress said O-ring into fluid-tight sealing engagement with the outer surface of said tubular valve stem prior to said adapter movement which serves to open said valve member in said discharge passage of said adapter holder body, said adapter thus 13 being adapted for pressure filling valved aerosol containers through upwardly projecting tubular valve stems thereof.

4. A pressure filler head as recited in claim 1 for pressure filling a valved aerosol container having a valve assembly including a cap with an axially bored center islmd and internal normally closed valve elements where in said adapter is further characterized by a main body portion having a centrally located depending stem portion with said adapter discharge passage extending through said depending stem portion, the outer diameter of said depending stem portion being approximately equal to the diameter of the axial bore of the valve cap center island whereby to permit downward insertion of said depending stem portion therein with said depending stem portion thereby eifecting a fluid-tight seal with an internal annular sealing element of the container valve assembly prior to said adapter movement which serves to open said valve member in said discharge passage of said adapterholder body, said adapter thus being adapted for pressure filling valved aerosol containers through internal valve assemblies thereof.

5. A pressure filler head as recited in claim 1 for pressure filling a valved aerosol container having a valve assembly including. a cap with a center island and a tubular valve stem projecting upwardly therethrough wherein'said adapter is further characterized by a main body portion having a downwardly opening centrally located stepped bore forming the lower portion of said adapter discharge passage, said stepped bore being characterized by an upper bore portion having a diameter somewhat larger than the diameter of the tubular valve stem of the container valve assembly, a lower bore portion of a substantially larger diameter, and by a down wardly facing annular shoulder between said upper and lower bore portions, and an annular sealing gasket seated in said lower portion of said stepped bore and retained against said downwardly facing shoulder by a retaining ring, the inner edge of said annular sealing gasket being characterized by a depending lip portion adapted to be compressed into fluid-tight sealing engagement with the upper surface of the center island of the container valve assembly prior to said adapter movement which serves to open said valve member in said discharge passage of said adapter holder body, said adapter thus being adapted for pressure filling valved aerosol containers around and through upwardly projecting tubular valve stems thereof.

6. A pressure filler head as recited in claim 1 for pressure filling a valved aerosol containerhaving a valve assembly including a convex cap, a relatively long, tubular spray nozzle projecting upwardly therethrough, and an external annular sealing member disposed about the lower exposed portion of the spray nozzle wherein said adapter is further characterized by a generally vertically elongated body portion having a downwardly opening centrally located elongated bore forming the lower portion of said adapter discharge passage, which bore has a diameter large enough and a length long enough to receive the relatively long tutbular spray nozzzle of the aerosol container valve assembly, said body portion at the lower end of said bore having a concave surface for mating engagement with said convex cap and means for fluid-tight sealing engagement with the sealing member disposed about the lower exposed portion of the spray nozzle when said adapter is initially engaged with the top of said areosol container and prior to the upward movement of said adapter relative to said adapter holder body which opens said valve member in said discharge passage of said adapter holder body, said adapter thus being adapted for pressure filling valved aerosol containers through relatively long upwardly projecting tubular spray nozzles thereof.

7. A pressure filler head for filling a metered quantity of pressurized fluid into an aerosol container through the valve assembly thereof comprising, a dispenser having a chamber of predetermined size for receiving a metered charge of fluid under pressure, a tubular adapter holder body depending from said dispenser and having a discharge passage extending therethrough with its upper end open to said chamber, a normally closed valve member in the lower end of said discharge passage, means for connecting a source of fluid under pressure in continuous communication with said dispenser, means for establishing said metered charge in said chamber when the filler head is out of engagement with a valved aerosol container, an adapter adapted for sealing engagement on a valved aerosol container removably supported from the lower end of said adapter holder body in a manner perrnittin upward movement of said adapter relative to said body, a readily releasable split collar and retaining sleeve arrangement for so supporting said adapter from said adapter holder body, said adapter having a discharge passage extending therethrough and communieating with the lower end of said discharge passage in said adapter holder body, said retaining sleeve being resiliently urged downwardly from said adapter holder body whereby the lower end thereof extends below said adapter and serves as a container locater, means for isolating said chamber and the metered charge therein from said fluid source upon initial engagement of said sleeve with the top of a valved aerosol container, and means on said adapter operable upon upward movement of said adapter relative to said adapter holder body after said adapter is sealinglyengaged with the top of an aerosol container for openin said normally closed valve member in sai discharge passage whereby said metered charge of pressurized fluid is discharged into the aerosol container through said adapter and the container valve assembly.

8. A pressure filler head for filling a metered quantity i of pressurized fluid into an aerosol container through the valve assembly thereof comprising, a dispenser having a chamber of predetermined size for receiving a metered charge of fluid under pressure, a tubular adapter holder body depending from said dispenser and having a discharge passage extending thcrethrough with its upper end open to said chamber, a normally closed valve member in the lower end of said discharge passage, means for connecting a source of fluid under pressure in continuous communication with said dispenser, means for establishing said metered charge in said chamber when the filler head is out of engagement with a valved aerosol container, an adapter for sealing on the top of a valved aerosol container supported from the lower end of said adapter holder body in a manner permitting upward movement of said adapter relative to said body and ready removal of said adapter from said body, said adapter having a discharge passage extending therethrough, a readily releasable split collar and retaining sleeve arrangement for so supporting said adapter from said adapter holder body, said collar being characterized by two vertically split halves each of which has an upper inwardly turned flange engageable in an external groove formed on the lower portion of said adapter body and a lower inwardly turned flange engageable in an external groove formed on said adapter, said sleeve being slidably fitted over said split collar whereby to retain said two collar halves in. abutting engagement with said upper and lower flanges engaged in their respective grooves, means releasably mounting said sleeve on said adapter holder body, means on said adapter operable upon upward movement of said adapter relative to said adapter holder body after said adapter is sealingly engaged with the top of an aerosol container for opening said normally closed valve member in said discharge passage whereby said metered charge of pressurized fluid is discharged into the aerosol container through said adapter and the container valve assembly, and means for isolating said chamber and the metered charge therein from said fluid source prior to opening of said valve member by said adapter.

9. In a pressure filler head of the type which is characterized' by a depending stem structure having'a dis charge passage extending therethrough which is open at its upper end to a pressurized source of fluid, the improvement wmch comprises, in combination, an adapter holder body portion connected to the lower end of said depending stem structure and having a discharge passage extending downwardly therethrough, a norma ly closed discharge valve in the lower portion of said discharge passage in said adapter holder body portion, an adapter supported from the lower end of said adapter holder body portion in a manner permitting vertical movement relative there to, said adapter having an axial discharge passage extending therethrough and having its underside adapted for fluid-tight sealing engagement on a valved aerosol container, a readily releasable split collar and retaining sleeve device for supporting said adapter from said lower end of said adapter holder body portion, means preventing upward movement of said adapter relative to said adapter holder body portion until said adapter is disposed in fluid-tight sealing engagement on a valved aerosol container, and means on said adapter operable in response to upward movement thereof relative to said adapter holder body portion to open said normally closed discharge valve. 7 v

10. A pressure filler head improvement as recited in claim 9 for pressure filling a valved aerosol contatiner having a valve assembly including a cap with a center island and a spray tip nozzle projecting upwardly therefrom wherein said adapter is further characterized by upper and lower body members vertically movable relative to each other, an annular sealing gasket positively confined in said lower body member by said upper body member and adapted to be fitted over the center island of the container valve assembly, and means operable upon upward movement of said lower body element relative to said upper body element prior to said adapter movement which serves to open said normally closed discharge valve for compressing said sealing gasket into fluid-tight sealing engagement with the center island of the container valve assembly.

11. A pressure filler head improvement as recited in claim 9 for pressure filling a valved aerosol container having a valve assembly including a cap with a center island and a tubular valve stem projecting upwardly therethrough wherein said adapter is further characterized by a main body portion and an axially bored insert member vertically slidable in the lower portion of said discharge passage therein, and an O-ring confined in said lower portion of said discharge passage by said insert member and adapted to be fitted over the upper end of the tubular valve stem of the container valve assembly, said O-ring being adapted to be compressed into fluidtight sealing engagement with the tubular valve stem of the container valve assembly upon upward movement of said insert member relative to said main body portion prior to said adapter movement which serves to open said normally closed discharge valve.

12. A pressure filler head improvement as recited in claim 9 for pressure filling a valved aerosol container having a valve assembly including a cap with an axially bored center island and internal valve elements wherein said adapter is further characterized by a centrally located depending tubular stern portion providing the lower end of said adapter discharge passage and adapted to be inserted downwardly th ough the axially bored center island and into fluid-tight sealing engagement with an internal annular sealing element of the container valve assembly prior to said adapter movement which serves to open said normally closed discharge valve.

13. A pressure filler head improvement as recited in claim 9 for pressure filling a valved aerosol container having a valve assembly including a cap with a center island and a tubular valve stem projecting upwardly therethrough wherein said adapter is further characterized by an annular sealing gasket retained in a lower enlarged portion of said adapter discharge passage, said sealing gasket being characterized by a depending lip portion which is adapted to be compressed into fluid-tight sealing engagement with the upper surface of the center island of the container valve assembly prior to said adapter movement which serves to open said normally closed discharge valve.

14. A pressure filler head improvement as recited in claim 9 for pressure filling a valved aerosol container having a valve assembly including a convex cap, a relatively long tubular spray nozzle projecting upwardly therethrough, and an external annular sealing member disposed about the lower exposed portion of the spray nozzle wherein said adapter is further characterized by the lower end of said adapter having a sealing member at the lower end of the discharge passage which is adapted for fluid-tight sealing engagement with the cap and with the sealing member disposed about the lower exposed portion of the spray nozzle of the container valve assembly prior to said adapter movement which serves to open said normally closed discharge valve.

15. In a pressure filler head of the type which is characterized by a depending stern structure having a discharge passage extending therethrough which is open at its upper end to a pressurized source of fluid, the improvement which comprises, in combination, an adapter holder body portion connected to the lower end of said depending stem structure and having a discharge passage extending downwardly therethrough, a normally closed discharge valve in the lower portion of said discharge passage in said adapter holder body portion, an adapter having an axial dischrge passage extending therethrough supported from the lower end of said adapter holder body portion and having its underside adapted for fluid-tight sealing engagement on a valved aerosol container, a readily separable vertically split collar device having means thereon interengageable with both the lower end of said adapter holder body portion and said adapter for supporting said adapter from said lower end of said adapter holder body portion in a manner permitting relative vertical movement therebetween, a retaining sleeve member slidably disposed about said split collar device whereby to prevent separation thereof, means releasably mounting said retaining sleeve member on the lower end of said adapter holder body portion, means preventing upward movement of said adapter relative to said adapter holder body portion until said adapter is disposed in fluid-tight sealing engagement on a valved aerosol container, and means on said adapter operable in response to upward movement thereof relative to said adapter holder body portion to open said normally closed discharge valve.

16. In a pressure filler head of the type which is characterized by a depending stem structure having a discharge passage extending therethrough which is open at its upper end to a pressurized source of fluid, the improvement which comprises, in combination, an adapter holder body portion connected to the lower end of said depending stem structure and having a discharge passage extending downwardly therethrough in communication with the lower end of the discharge passage in said depending stem structure, a movable discharge valve member in the lower portion of said discharge passage in said adapter holder body portion, means resiliently urging said valve member downwardly into a closed position, an external annular groove formed on the lower portion of said adapter holder body portion and defining an annular shoulder at the lower end thereof, a vertically split separable twopart collar characterized by inwardly turned flanges on the upper and lower edges of each part thereof, said upper flanges being engageable in said annular groove on said adapter holder body portion for supporting engagement with said annular shoulder, an adapter having a vertical discharge passage extending therethr-ough and having its underside adapted for fluid-tight sealing engagement on a valved aerosol container, an external annular groove formed on said adapter and adapted to receive the lower flanges of said split collar whereby to support said adapter from said adapter holder body portion in a manner permitting relative vertical movement therebetween, said adapter having an upstanding tubular stem portion projecting upwardly into the lower end of said discharge passage in said adapter holder body portion and toward said discharge valve member therein with upward movement of said adapter relative to said adapter holder body portion after a fluid-tight'seal has been effected between said underside of said adapter and a valved aerosol container serving to move said valve member upwardly to open said discharge passage between said pressurized source of fluid and the aerosol container, and a sleeve member releasably mounted on said adapter holder body portion and slidably fitted over said split collar whereby to retain said two parts of said collar in abutting engagement with said upper flanges thereof engaged in said annular groove in said adapter holder body portion and said lower flanges thereof engaged in said annular groove in said adapter.

17. A pressure filler head improvement as recited in claim 16 wherein said adapter underside is adapted for fluid-tight sealing engagement with an aerosol container valve assembly of the type including a cap with a center island and a spray nozzle tip projecting upwardly therefrom, said adapter being further characterized by a lower generally cup-shaped body member having said external annular groove formed therein and having an inwardly turned shoulder at its lower edge, an annular sealing gass ket seated on said shoulder and adapted to be fitted over i the center island of the container valve assembly, the upper surface of said gasket having a narrow annular slot formed thereinintermediate its inner and outer circumferences, an upper body member telescopically fitted in said lower body member and vertically movable relative thereto, said upper body member having a downwardly opening centrally located recess defining the lower portion of said adapter discharge passage and adapted to freely receive the spray nozzle tip of the container valve assembly, and an annular depending wedge-shaped skirt on the lower edge of said upper body member with the tip thereof being received in said annular slot in the upper surface of said gasket when said upper and lower body members are in their furthest apart positions whereby said gasket is positively confined at all times in said lower body member, said wedge-shaped skirt serving to tightly wedge the inner portion of said gasket into fluid-tight seal ing engagement with the outer surface of the center island of the container valve assembly upon movement of said upper and lower body members toward each other prior to said upward valve opening movement of said adapter.

18. A pressure filler head improvement as recited in claim 16 wherein said adapter underside is adapted for fluid-tight sealing engagement with an aerosol container valve assembly of the type including a cap with a center island and a tubular valve stem projecting upwardly therethrough, said adapter being further characterized by a main body portion having a downwardly opening centrally located stepped bore forming the lower portion of said adapter discharge passage, said stepped bore being characterized by an upper bore portion having a diam eter approximately equal to the diameter of the tubular valve stem projecting upwardly from the valved aerosol container, an intermediate bore portion of a slightly larger diameter, a downwardly facing annular shoulder between said upper and intermediate bore portions, and by a lower bore portion of a substantially larger diameter, an insert member having a base portion slidably received in said lower bore portion of said stepped bore and an upstanding stem portion slidably received in said intermediate bore portion thereof, said insert member having a through bore with a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of said upper bore portion of said stepped bore, a retaining ring mounted in said lower bore portion of said stepped bore for supporting said insert member with the upper end of said stem portion normally spaced from said downwardly facing shoulder, and an Q-ring disposed between the upper end of said stem portion of said insert member and said downwardly facing shoulder and substantially filling the space therebetween with said O-ring being adapted to be slidably fitted over said upwardly projecting tubular valve stem of the aerosol container valve assembly as said adapter is brought into engagement with the top of the container, said insert member being movable upwardly relative to said main body portion upon actuating engagement of the underside of said insert member with the top of the center island of the container valve assembly whereby to compress said O-ring into iluidtight sealing engagement with the outer surface of said tubular valve stem prior to said upward valve opening movement of said adapter.

19. Apressure filler head improvement as recited in claim 16 wherein said adapter underside is adapted for fluid-tight sealing engagement with an aerosol container valve assembly of the type including a cap with an axially bored center island and internal valve elements, said adapter being further characterized by a main body portion having a centrally located depending stem portion with said adapter discharge passage extending through said depending stern portion, the outer diameter of said depending stem portion being approximately equal to the diameter of the axial bore of the valve cap center island whereby to permit downward insertion of said depending stem portion therein with said depending stem portion thereby effecting a fluid-tight seal with an int rnal annular sealing element of the container valve assembly prior to said upward valve opening movement of said adapter.

20. A pressure filler head improvement as recited in claim 16 wherein said adapter underside is adapted for fluid-tight sealing engagement with an aerosol container valve assembly of the type including a cap with a center island and a tubular valve stem projecting upwardly therethrough, said adapter being further characterized by a main body portion having a downwardly opening centrally located stepped bore forming the lower portion of said adapter dischar e passage, said stepped bore being characterized by an upper bore portion having a diameter somewhat larger than the dia rater of the tubular valve stem of the container valve assembly, a lower bore por tion of a substantially larger diameter, and by a downwardly facing annular shoulder between said upper and lower bore portions, and an annular scaling gasket seated in said lower portion of said stepped bore retained against said downwardly facing shoulder by a retaining ring, the inner edge of said annular sealing gasket being characterized by a depending lip portion adapted to be compressed into fluid-tight sealing engagement with the upper surface of the center island or" the container valve assem ly prior to said upward valve opening movement of said adapter.

21. A pressure filler head improvement as recited in claim 16 wherein said adapter underside is adapted for fluid-tight sealing engagement with an aerosol container valve assembly of the type including a convex cap, a relatively long tubular spray nozzle projecting upwardly therethrough, and an external annular sealing member disposed about the lower exposed portion of the spray nozzle, said adapter being further characterized by a generally vertically elongated body portion having a downwardly opening centrally located elongated bore forming the lower portion of said adapter discharge passage, which bore has a diameter large enough and a length long enough to receive the relatively long tubular spray nozzle of the aerosol container valve assembly, the lower end of said bore in said body portion being adapted for fluidtight sealing engagement with the sealing member disposed about the lower exposed portion of the spray nozzle rior to said upward valve opening movement of said adapter. 22. in a pressure filler head of the type which is characterized by a depending stem structure having a discharge passage extending therethrough which is open at its upper end to a pressurized source of fluid, the improve-- ment which comprises, in combination, a generally cylindrical adapter holder body portion connected to the lower end of said depending stem structure and having a discharge passage extending downwardly therethrough in communication with the lower end of the discharge pasr sage in said depending stern structure, a normally closed discharge valve in said discharge passage in said adapter holder body portion, an external annular groove formed on the lower portion of said adapter holder body portion and defining annular shoulder at the lower end thercof, said shoulder having an outer diameter larger than the diameter of said annular groove and smaller than the diameter of the non-grooved portion of said adapter holder body portion, a vertically split separable two-part collar having an outer diameter approximately equal to the outer diameter of said non-grooved portion of said adapts holder body portion and an inner diameter approximately equal to the outer diameter of said shoulder, inwardly turned flanges on upper and lower edges of each part of said split collar with said upper flanges being engageable in said annular groove on said adapter holder body portion and supportable on said annular shoulder, a generally cylindrical adapter having a diameter approximately equal to the inner diameter of said split collar and having a vertical discharge passage extending therethrough with the underside of said adapter being adapted for sealing engagement on a valved aerosol container, an 7 external annular groove formed on said adapter and adapted to receive the lower flanges on said two parts of said split collar whereby to support said adapter from said adapter holder body portion in a manner permitting relative vertical movement therebetween, means on the upper portion 0t said adapter operable upon upward movement of said adapter relative to said adapter holder body portion after a seal has been effected between said underside of said adapter and a valved aerosol container for opening said normally closed discharge valve whereby to open said discharge passage between said pressurized source of fluid and the aerosol container, a container 10- cating sleeve member having an inner diameter approximately equal to the outer diameters of both said nongrooved portion of said adapter holder body portion and said split collar and slidably fitted thercover for retaining said two parts of said collar in abutting engagement with said upper flanges thereof engaged in said annular groove in said adapter holder body portion and said lower flanges thereof engaged in said annular groove in said adapter, and readily releasable means for slidably retaining said sleeve member on said adapter holder body portion whereby to facilitate removal of said sleeve and separation of said split collar for replacing one adapter with another adapter.

23. An adapter for use in pressure filling valved aerosol containers through the valve assemblies thereof and adapted to be mounted on an adapter holder portion of a pressure filler head for vertical movement, relative thereto by means of a readily releasable vertically split collar and retaining sleeve arrangement, which adapter holder portion is characterized by a discharge passage open at its upper end to a source of pressurized fluid and having a normally closed discharge valve at its lower end, said adapter comprising, a body portion having a discharge passage extending downwardly therethrough, means on said body portion adapted for interfitting supporting engagement with the split collar of said split collar and retaining sleeve arrangement, means on the underside of said body portion adapted for fluid-tight sealing engagement on a valved aerosol container, and means on the upper end of said body portion operable upon upward movement of said adapter relative to said adapter holder portion after fluid-tight sealing engagement of said adapter with the top of a valved aerosol container to open said normally closed discharge valve in said discharge passage of said adapter holder portion of the pressure filler head.

holder portion is characterized by a discharge passage open at it upper end to a source of pressurized fluid and having a normally closed discharge valve at its lower end, said adapter comprising, a body portion having an axial discharge passage extending downwardly therethrough, an external annular groove formed on said body portion and adapted to receive inwardly turned flange portions of the vertically split collar portion of said split collar and retaining sleeve arrangement whereby to support the adapter from said adapter holder portion of the pressure filler head for vertical movement relative thereto, means on the underside of said body portion adapted for fluid-tight sealing engagement on a valved aerosol container, and a centrally located upstanding tubular stem on the upper side of said body portion adapted to be slidably received in the lower end of said discharge passage in said adapter holder portion of the pressure filler head, said upstanding stem being operable upon upward movement of said adapter relative to said adapter holder portion after fluid-tight sealing engagement of said adapter with the top of a valved aerosol container to open said normally closed discharge valve in said discharge passage of said adapter holder portion of the pressure filler head.

25. An adapter for use in pressure filling a valved aerosol container wherein the valve assembly thereon is of the type including a cap with a center island and a spray tip nozzle projecting upwardly therethrough, which adapter is mountable on an adapter holder portion of a pressure filler head for vertical movement relative thereto by means of a readily releasable vertically split collar and retaining sleeve arrangement, which adapter holder portion is characterized by a discharge passage open at its upper end to a source of pressurized fluid and having a normally closed discharge valve at its lower end, said adapter comprising, upper and lower body members vertically movable relative to each other and having discharge passage means extending downwardly therethrough, means on said lower body member adapted for interfitting supporting engagement with the split collar of said split collar and retaining sleeve arrangement, an annular sealing gasket positively confined in said lower body member by said upper body member engagement with the center island of the container valve assembly to open said normally closed discharge valve in said discharge passage of said adapter holder portion of the pressure filler head.

26. An adapter for use in pressure filling a valved aerosol container wherein the valve assembly thereon is of the type including a cap with a center island and a spray tip nozzle projecting upwardly therethrough, which adapter is mountable on an adapter holder portion of a pressure filler head for vertical movement relative thereto by means of a readily releasable vertically split collar and retaining sleeve arrangement, which adapter holder portion is characterized by a discharge passage open at its upper end to a source of pressurized fluid and having a normally closed discharge valve at its lower end, said adapter comprising, a generally cup-shaped lower body member having an axial bore formed in the bottom thereof whereby to provide an inwardly turned annular shoulder at the lower end thereof, an external annular groove formed on said lower body member and adapted to receive inwardly turned flange portions of the vertically split collar portion of said split collar and retaining sleeve arrangement whereby to support said lower body member from said adapter holder portion of the pressure filler head for vertical movement relative thereto, an annular sealing gasket seated on said shoulder and adapted to be fitted over the center island of the container valve assembly, the upper surface of said gasket having a narrow annular slot formed therein intermediate its inner and outer circumferences, an upper body member having an axial discharge passage extending downwardly therethrough telescopically fitted in said lower body memher and vertically movable relative thereto, said upper body member being characterized by a downwardly opening centrally located recess defining the lower portion of said adapter discharge passage and adapted to freely receive the spray nozzle tip of the container valve assembly, an annular depending wedge-shaped skirt on the lower edge of said upper body member with the tip thereof being received in said annular slot in the upper surface of said gasket when said upper and lower body members are in their furthest apart positions whereby said gasket is positively confined at all times in said lower body member, said wedge-shaped skirt serving to compress the inner portion of said gasket into fluid-tight sealing engagement with the outer surface of the center island of the container valve assembly upon upward movement of said lower body member relative to said upper body member, and a centrally located upstanding tubular stem on the upper surface of said upper body member adapted to be slidably received in the lower end of said discharge passage in said adapter holder portion of the pressure filler head, said upstanding stem'being operable upon upward movement of said upper body member relative to said adapter holder portion after said gasket has been compressed into sealing engagement with the center island of the container valve assembly to open said normally closed discharge valve in said discharge passage of said adapter holder portion of the pressure filler head.

27. An adapter for use in pressure filling a valved aerosol container wherein the valve assembly thereon is of the type including a cap with a center island and a tubular valve stem projecting upwardly therethrough, which adapter is mountable on an adapter holder portion of a pressure filler head for vertical movement relative thereto by means of a readily releasable vertically split collar and retaining sleeve arrangement, which adapter holder portion is characterized by a discharge passage open at its upper end to a source of pressurized fluid and having a normally closed discharge valve at its lower end, said adapter comprising, a main body portion having an axial discharge passage extending downwardly therethrough, means on said main body portion adapted for interfitting supporting engagement with the split collar of said split collar and retaining sleeve arrangement, an axially bored insert member verticallyslidable in the lower portion of the discharge passage in said main body portion, and O-ring confined in said lower portion of said discharge passage by said insert member and adapted to be fitted over the upper end of the tubular valve stem of the container valve assembly, said O-ring being adapted to be compressed into fluid-tight sealing engagement with the tubular valve stem of the container valve assembly upon upward movement of said insert member relative to said main body portion, and means on the upper end of said main body portion operable upon upward movement thereof relative to said adapter holder portion after said O-ring has been compressed into fluid-tight sealing engagement with the tubular valve stem of the container valve assembly to open said normally closed discharge valve in said discharge passage of said adapter holder portion of the pressure tiller head.

28. An adapter for use in pressure filling a valved aerosol container wherein the valve assembly thereon is of the type including a cap with a center island and a tubular valve stem projecting upwardly therethrough, which adapter is mountable on an adapter holder portion of a pressure filler head for vertical movement relative thereto by means of a readily releasable vertically split collar and retaining sleeve arrangement, which adapter holder portion is characterized by a discharge passage open at its upper end to a source of pressurized fluid and having a normally closed discharge valve at its lower end, said adapter comprising, a main body portion having an axial discharge passage extending downwardly therethrough with the lower portion thereof defining a downwardly opening centrally located stepped bore, an externalannular groove formed on said main body p0"- tion and adapted to receive inwardly turned flange por tions of the vertically split collar'portion of said split collar and retaining sleeve arrangement whereby to support said main body portion'from said adapter holder portion of the pressure filler head for vertical movement relative thereto, said stepped bore in said main body portion being characterized by an upper bore portion having a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the upwardly projecting tubular valve stem of the container valve assembly, an intermediate bore portion of a slightly larger diameter, a downwardly facing annular shoulder between said upper and intermediate bore portions, and by a lower bore portion of a substantially larger diameter, an insert member having a base portion slidably received in said lower bore portion of said stepped bore and an upstanding stem portion slidably received in said intermediate bore portion thereof, said insert member being provided with a through bore having a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the upwardly projecting tubular valve stem of the container valve assembly, a retaining ring mounted in said lower bore portion of said stepped bore for supporting said insert member with the top of the center island of the container valve assembly whereby to compress the O-ring into fluid-tight sealing engagement with the outer surface of said tubular valve stem, and a centrally located upstanding tubular stem on the upper surface of said main body portion adapted to be slibably received in the lower end of said discharge 'passage in said adapter holder portion of the pressure filler head, said upstanding stem being operable upon upward movement of said main body portion relative to said adapter holder portion after said O-ring has been compressed into sealing engagement with the tubular valve stem'of the container valve assembly to open said normally closed discharge valve in said discharge passage I of said adapter holder portion of the pressure filler head.

29. An adapter for use in pressure filling a valved aerosol container wherein the valve assembly thereon is of the type including a cap with an axially bored center island and internal valve elements, which adapter is mountable on an adapter holder portion of a pressure filler head for vertical movement relative thereto by means of a readily releasable vertically split collar and retaining sleeve ar rangemcnt, which adapter holder portion is characterized by a discharge passage open at its upper end to a source of pressurized fluid and having a normally closed discharge valve at its lower end, said adapter comprising, a main body portion having an axial discharge passage extending downwardly therethrough, means on said main body portion adapted for interfitting supporting engagement with the split collar of said split collar and retaining sleeve arrangement, a centrally located stem portion projecting downwardly from said main body portion with said adapter discharge passage extending therethrough, said downwardly projecting stem portion being adapted to be inserted downwardly through the axially bored center island of the container valve assembly and into fluid-tight sealing engagement with an internal annular sealing element thereof, and means on the upper end of said main body portion operable upon upward movement thereof relative to said adapter holder portion after-insertion of said downwardly projecting stern portion into the axially bored center island of the container valve assembly to open said normally closed discharge valve in said discharge passage of said adapter holder portion of the pressure filler head.

30. An adapter for use in pressure filling a valved aerosol container wherein the valve assembly thereon is of the type including a cap with an axially bored center island and internal valve elements, which adapter is mountable on an adapter holder'portion of a pressure filler head for vertical movement relative thereto by means of a readily releasable vertically split collar and retaining sleeve arrangement, which adapter holder portion is characterized by a discharge passage open at its upper end to a source of pressurized fluid and having a normally closed discharge valve at its lower end, said adapter comprising, a main body portion having an axial discharge passage extending downwardly therethrough, an external annular groove formed on said main body portion and adapted to receive inwardly turned flange portions of the vertically split collar portion of said split collar and retaining sleeve arrangement whereby to support the main body portion from said adapter holderportion of the pressure filler head for vertical movement relative thereto, a centrally located stem portion projecting downwardly from the underside of said main body portion with said discharge passage extending downwardly therethrough, the outer diameter of said downwardly extending stem portion being approximately equal to the diameter of the axial bore in the valve cap center island whereby to permit insertion of said downwardly projecting stem portion therein with said stem portion thereby effecting a fluid-tight seal with an internal annular sealing element of the container valve assembly, and a centrally located upstanding tubular stem on the upper surface of said main body portion adapted to be slidably received inthe lower end of said discharge passage in said adapter holder portion of the pressure filler head, said upstanding stem being operable upon upward movement of said main body portion relative to said adapter holder portion after insertion of said downwardly projecting stem portion into the axial bore of the valve cap center island to open said normally closed discharge valve in said discharge passage of said adapter holder portion of the pressure filler head.

31. An adapter for use in pressure filling a valved aerosol container wherein the valve assembly thereon is of the type including a cap with a center island and a tubular valve stem projecting upwardly therethrough, which adapter is mountable on an adapter holder portion of a pressure filler head for vertical movement relative'thercto by means of a readily releasable vertically split collar and retaining sleeve arrangement, which adapter holder portion is characterized by a discharge passage open at its upper end to a source of pressurized fluid and having a normally closed discharge valve at its lower end, said adapter comprising, a body portion having a discharge passage extending downwardly therethrough with the lower portion thereof being enlarged in diameter, means on said body portion adapted for interfitting supporting engagement with the split collar of said split collar and retaining sleeve arrangement, an annular sealing gasket retained in said lower enlarged diameter portion of said adapter discharge passage, said sealing gasket being characterized by a depending lip portion which is adapted to be compressed into fluid-tight sealing engagementwit h the uppe r surface of the center island of the container valve assembly, and means on the upper end of said body portion operable upon upward movement thereof relative to said adapter holder portion after said depending lip portion of said sealing gasket is compressed into sealing engagement with the upper surface of the valve cap center island to open said normally closed" discharge valve in said discharge passage of said adapterhblder portion of the pressure filler head.

32'. An adapter for use in pressure filling a valved aerosol container wherein the valve assembly thereon is of the type including a cap with a center island and a'tubular valve stem projecting upwardly therethrough, which adapter is mountable on an adapter holder portion of a pressure filler head for vertical movement relative thereto by means of a readily releasable vertically split collar and retaining sleeve arrangement, which adapter holder portion is characterized by a discharge passage open at its upper end to a source of pressurized fluid and having a normally closed discharge valve at its lower end, said adapter comprising, a body portion having an axial discharge passage extending downwardly therethrough with the lower portion thereof defining a downwardly opening centrally located stepped bore, an external annular groove formed on said body portion and adapted to receive inwardly turned flange portions of the vertically split collar portion of said split collar and retaining sleeve arrangement whereby to sup port said body portion from said adapter holder portion ofsaid pressure filler head tor vertical movement relative thereto, said stepped bore being characterized by an upper bore portion having a diameter somewhat larger than the diameter of the tubular valve stem of the container valve assembly, a lower bore portion of a substantially larger diameter, and by a downwardly facing annular shoulder between said upper and lower bore portions, an annular sealing gasket seated in said lower portion of said stepped bore and retained against said downwardlyfacing shoulder by a retaining ring, the inner edge of said annular sealing gasket being characterized by a depending lip portion (adapted to be compressed into fluid-tight sealing engagement with the upper surface of the center island of the container valve assembly, and a centrally located upstanding tubular stem on the upper surface of said body portion adapted to be slidably received in the lower end of said discharge passage in said adapter holder portion of the pressure filler head, said upstanding stem being operable upon upward movement of said body portion relative to said adapter holder portion after said depending lip portion of said sealing gasket has been compressed into sealing engagement with the valve cap center island to open said normally closed discharge valve in said discharge passage of said adapter holder portion of the pressure filler head.

33. An adapter for use in pressure filling a valved aerosol container wherein the valve assembly thereon is of the type including a convex cap, a relativel long tubular spray nozzle projecting upwardly therethrough, and an external annular sealing member disposed about the lower exposed portion of the spray nozzle, which adapter ismountable on an adapter holder portion of a pressure filler head for vertical movement relative thereto by means of a readily releasable vertically split collar and retaining sleeve arrangement, which adapter holder portion is characterized by a discharge passage open at its upper end to a source of pressurized fluid and having a normally closed discharge valve at its lower end, said adapter comprising, a generally vertically elongated body portion having a discharge passage extending downwardly therethrough, means on said body portion adapted for interfitting supporting engagement with the split collar of said split collar and retaining sleeve arrangement, the lower portion of said discharge passage being formed both to receive the relatively long tubular spray nozzle of the container valve assembly and for fluid-tight sealing engagement with the an U sealing member disposed about the lower exposed portion of the spray nozzle, and means on the upper end of said body portion operable upon upward movement thereof relative to said adapter holder portion after sealing engagement thereof with the sealing member associated with the spray nozzle to open said normally closed discharge valve in said discharge passage of said adapter holder portion of the pressure filler head.

34. An adapter for use in pressure fiilling a valved aerosol container wherein the valve assembly thereon is of the type including a convex cap, a relatively long tubular spray nozzle projecting upwardly therethrough, and an external annular sealing member disposed about the lower exposed portion of the spray nozzle, which adapter is mountable on an adapter holder portion of a pressure filler head for vertical movement relative thereto by means of a readily releasable vertically split collar and retaining sleeve arrangement, which adapter holder portion is characterized by a discharge passage open at its upper end to a source of pressurized fluid and having a normally closed discharge valve at its lower end, said adapter comprising, a generally vertically elongated body portion having an axial discharge passage extending downwardly therethrough, an external annular groove formed on said body portion and adapted to receive inwardly turned flange portions of the vertically split collar portion of said split collar and retaining sleeve arrangement whereby to support said body portion from said adapter holder portion of the pressurefiller head for vertical movement relative thereto, the lower portion of said discharge passage defining a downwardly opening centrally located elongated bore having a diameter large enough and a length long enough to receive the relatively long tubular spray nozzle of the container valve assembly, the lower end of said bore in said body portion being adapted for fluid-tight sealing engagement with the sealing member disposed about the lower exposed portion of the spray nozzle, and a centrally located upstanding tubular stem on the upper surface of said body portion adapted to be slidably received in the lower end of said discharge passage in said adapter holder portion of the pressure filler head, said upstanding stem being operable upon upward movement of said body portion relative to said adapter holder portion after a fluid-tight seal has been eflected between said body portion and said sealing member associated with said spray nozzle to open said normally closed discharge valve in said discharge passage of said adapter holder portion of the pressure filler head.

35. In a pressure filler head of the type which is characterized by 21 depending stem structure having a discharge passage extending therethrough which is open at its upper end to a pressurized source of fluid, the improvement which comprises, in combination, an adapter holder body portion connected to the lower end of said depending stem structure and having a discharge passage extending downwardly therethrough, a normally closed discharge valve in said discharge passage in said adapter holder body portion, and a readily releasable split collar and retaining sleeve arrangement for suspending an axially bored adapter which is sealingly engageable on a valved aerosol container from said adapter holder body portion in a manner permitting upward movement of said adapter relative thereto, which upward movement of said adapter is operable to open said normally closed discharge valve and thereby pressure fill the aerosol container through the valve assembly thereon.

36. In a pressure filler head of the type which is characterized by a depending stem structure having a discharge passage extending therethrough which is open at its upper end to a pressurized source of fluid, the improvement which comprises, in combination, an adapter holder body portion connected to the lower end of said depending stem structure and having a discharge passage extending downwardly therethrough, a normally closed discharge valve in the lower portion of said discharge eave, a?

3i passage in said adapter holder body portion, an outwardly projecting annular shoulder formed on the lower end of said adapter holder body portion, a vertically split separable two-part collar slidably retainable on said adapter holder body portion and having means on its upper portion supportable on said annular shoulder, and a readily releasable sleeve member slidably fitted over said split collar for retaining same on said adapter holder body portion, the lower portion of said split collar having means thereon adapted for interfitting supporting engagement with an axially bored adapter adapted for pressure filling a valved areosol container through the valve assembly thereof whereby to suspend the adapter from the adapter holder body portion for upward movement relative thereto, which adapter is sealingly engageable on a valved aerosol container and operable upon upward movement thereof relative to said adapter holder body portion to open said normally closed discharge valve in said discharge passage of said adapter holder body portion.

37. In a-pressure filler head of the type which is characterized by a depending stem structure having a discharge passage extending therethrough which is open at its upper end to a pressurized source of fiuid, the improvement which comprises, in combination, an adapter holder body portion connected to the lower end of said depending stern structure and having a discharge passage extending downwardly 'therethrough in communication with the lower end of the discharge passage in said depending stem structure, a movable discharge valve member in the lower portion of said discharge passage in said adapter holder body portion, means resiliently urging said valve member downwardly whereby to normally close said discharge passage, an external annular groove formed on the lower portion of said adapter holder body portion and defining an annular shoulder at the lower end thereof, said shoulder having an outer diameter larger than the diameter of said annular groove and smaller than the diameter of the non-grooved portion of said adapter holder body portion, a vertically split'separable two-part collar having an outer diameter approximately equal to the outer diameter of said non-grooved portion of said adapter holder body 7 portion and an inner, diameter approximately equal to the outer diameter or" said shoulder, inwardly turned flanges on the upper and lower edges of each part of said split collar with said upper flanges being engageable in said annular groove on said adapter holder body portion and supportable on said annular shoulder, the vertical dimension of said groove being larger than the vertical dimension of said upper flanges of said split collar whereby to permit upward movement of said split collar relative to the lower portion of said adapter holder body portion, a sleeve member having an inner diameter approximately equal to the outer diameters of both said non-grooved portion of said adapter holder body portion and said split collar slidably fitted thereover for retaining said two parts of said collar in abutting engagement with said upper flanges thereof engaged in said annular groove in said adapter holder body portion, and readily releasable means for slidably retaining said sleeve member on said adapter holder body portion whereby to facilitate removal of said sleeve and separation of said two parts of said split collar, the lower flanges of said split collar being engageable in an external annular groove formed "2 77 w th on an adapter adapted for pressure filling a valved aerosol container through the valve assembly thereof whereby to suspend the adapter from the adapter holder bodyiportion for upward movement relative thereto, which adapter is characterized by a discharge passage extending there-r through,an underside adapted for fluid-tight sealing engagement on a valved aerosol container, and means operable upon upward movement thereof relative -to said adapter holder body portion to shift said discharge valve member upwardly to open said discharge passage. I

38. A pressure filler head for filling valved aerosol containers having a standard valve structure assembled thereon with a quantity of pressurized fluid through said valve structure, said filler head comprising, a dispenser connected to a source of pressurized fluid and having a depending adapter supporting structure with a discharge passage extending therethrough, a normally open valve structure in the upper end of said dischar e passage controlling the inflow of fiuid to said dispenser, a normally closed discharge valve member in the lower end of said discharge passage, an adapter which is provided with a discharge passage extending therethrough, means in the lower portion of said adapter for sealing engagement on the top of a standard valved aerosol container, readily releasable means for removably mounting said adapter in sliding relation on the lower end of said depending dispenser structure with said discharge passages thereof in communication with each other and in a manner permitting upward movement of the adapter relative to said depending dispenser structure, said valve structure in the upper end of said discharge passage being closed upon upward movement of said adapter, and means on the upper end of said adapter which is operable upon upward movernent thereof relative to said depending dispenser structure after fluid-tight sealing engagement thereof with said valved aerosol container for engaging said discharge valve member and opening said normally closed discharge valve member in the lower end of said discharge passage whereby to fill said valved aerosol containerwith pressurized fluid through its valve structure.

39. A pressure filler head as recited in claim 38 wherein said readily releasable means for removably mounting said adapter on the lower end of said depending dispenser structure comprises a vertically split collar with each half thereof having inwardly turned fiangesron its upper and lower edges, and a retaining sleeve releasably mounted v on said depending di penser structure and adapted to retain said two halves on said split collar in abutting engagement with said upper flanges thereof engaged in an external groove formed on the lower end of said depending dispenser structure and having a vertical dimension greater than the vertical dimension of said upper flange and with said lower flange thereof engaged in an external groove formed on said adapter.

References Qited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,989,993 6/61 Osmond et al. 141-20 3,013,591 12/61 Stanley et al 141-3 3,027,922 4/62 Weston et al. T fi fo 3,163,956 9/63 Focht 141-3 LAV RNE G G R r m y Ex mi 

9. IN A PRESSURE FILLER HEAD OF THE TYPE WHICH IS CHARACTERIZED BY A DEPENDING STEM STRUCTURE HAVING A DISCHARGE PASSAGE EXTENDING THERETHROUGH WHICH IS OPEN AT ITS UPPER END TO A PRESSURIZED SOURCE OF FLUID, THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES, IN COMBINATION, AN ADAPTER HOLDER BODY PORTION CONNECTED TO THE LOWER END OF SAID DEPENDING STEM STRUCTURE AND HAVING A DISCHARGE PASSAGE EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY THERETHROUGH, A NORMALLY CLOSED DISCHARGE VALVE IN THE LOWER PORTION OF SAID DISHCARGE PASSAGE IN SAID ADAPTER HOLDER BODY PORTION, AN ADAPTER SUPPORTED FROM THE LOWER END OF SAID ADAPTER HOLDER BODY PORTION IN A MANNER PERMITTING VERTICAL MOVEMENT RELATIVE THERETO, SAID ADAPTER HAVING AN AXIAL DISCHARGE PASSAGE EXTENDING THERETHROUGH AND HAVING ITS UNDERSIDE ADAPTED FOR FLUID-TIGHT SEALING ENGAGEMENT ON A VALVED AEROSOL CONTAINER, A READILY RELEASABLE SPLIT COLLAR AND RETAINING SLEEVE DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING SAID ADAPTER FROM SAID LOWER END OF SAID ADAPTER HOLDER BODY PORTION, MEANS PREVENTING UPWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID ADAPTER RELATIVE TO SAID ADAPTER HOLDER BODY PORTION UNTIL SAID ADAPTER IS DISPOSED IN FLUID-TIGHT SEALING ENGAGEMENT ON A VALVE AEROSOL CONTAINER, AND MEANS ON SAID ADAPTER OPERABLE IN RESPONSE TO UPWARD MOVEMENT THEREOF RELATIVE TO SAID ADAPTER HOLDER BODY PORTION TO OPEN SAID NORMALLY CLOSED DISCHARGE VALVE. 